Whenever my mum gets phone calls from random sales people she likes to tell them she's homeless 😂

Next time it happens to me and they say their name in the intro, I'm gonna use their name. Like "No thankyou, Chris."
Like I understand you want to work but...

Once I was in a terrible moment walking aimlessly the streets of Athens, crying in public and such. My phone rung and it was one of those unknown numbers. I picked it up and after the introduction I told the person, you know I'm in this terrible moment right now I don't think it's the most appropriate timing and soon I began talking about what has happened to me. The person on the other line was actually listening and even gave me a couple of comforting words. 😌 lol

Would a homeless person have a landline? Or even a mobile?

My mum used to tell them to hold on a minute, then leave the phone off the hook and walk away.

Wonderful!

That's one up on the usual deterrents like claiming to live in a third-floor flat, or would need ask the (fictitious) landlord.

Sales Person: I perfectly understand ma'am.. We have special scheme for the homeless but not phoneless. The homeless get 20% discount.
We only need the money for the hot water system. We can deliver it after you get your home. How about that?